Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

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The sunlight warmed Sasuke's face. Unwilling to open his eyes, Sasuke focused on the pain in his body. For all that had happened, he felt surprisingly at peace and…rested. He listened. There were no birds chirping and no wind in the trees. Groaning, Sasuke tried to sit up, but found he was too weak.

"Sasuke."

The voice sounded so familiar, so comforting.

"Please, Sasuke, open your eyes."

When he opened them, slowly because the light hurt them, he saw the most beautiful face staring down at him. Red triangles pulled up as Kiba smiled, his pointy teeth shining.

"Hey, can you speak?"

At first it was difficult, but eventually Sasuke found his voice.

"H-help me s-s-sit up. P-please."

Kiba leaned in, gently lifting Sasuke's arm over his neck. Putting his own arm around Sasuke's back, he lifted until Sasuke was sitting upright against some pillows. It was then that Sasuke was able to take in his surroundings. He was in a hospital room.

"W-what happened?"

"I don't remember much. Itachi was standing behind you, he was looking at me, and I felt the worst pain in my entire life. My whole body had felt like it was on fire. I saw you, standing and yelling at Itachi, I saw you rush at him, but the pain had become so intense I must have blacked out. When I came to, you were lying on the ground, Sasuke."

Kiba paused and Sasuke noticed tears forming in the other boy's eyes.

Voice cracking, Kiba continued.

"Sasuke, I thought you were dead. Your face was so white and your lips were blue and you were barely breathing. I couldn't find any wounds on you so I wasn't sure what to do. You were so cold and no matter what I did I couldn't get you to warm up. While I was trying to get you warm, Akamaru found us. He said he could help me find Sakura—"

At this Sasuke's eyes went wide with fear.

"S-sakura! Is she OK? W-where is she? Oh g-god, if she was k-kille—" But he couldn't finish because Kiba put his hand over Sasuke's mouth.

"She is fine. Now. But she wasn't. When Aka and I found her…Sasuke, she was…broken."

"W-what do you mean?"

Concern in his eyes, Kiba reached up and brushed some of Sasuke's hair out of his eyes.

"When we found her… She was rocking back and forth, cutting herself over and over with a kunai. Her body was covered in blood and she kept muttering about how useless she was. She couldn't hear me when I yelled at her. I even… I even hit her to try and break her trance but it didn't do anything. So I took her knife and carried her to Naruto's campsite. Naruto was there, he was fine, he never even knew anything had happened. It took forever to calm him down and tell him what had happened—he was so torn up about you and Sakura, I've never seen him so angry—and we ran to get you. We brought you to the Kage of the Hidden Village of Mist and contracted their ninjas and medics to get you back to Konoha. Tsunade worked on you and Sakura for so long, and I was so worried about you, I didn't know what was wrong with you and I couldn't speak to you and I thought you were going to die and---"

Kiba stopped, choking on his own tears. Ashamed of his crying, he turned his face away and hid behind his hands.

Closing his eyes, Sasuke leaned back on his pillow. It was so much to take in and he wasn't sure where to begin sorting his emotions out.

"How long have I been in the hospital?"

"It has been five weeks. I thought you were never going to wake up. It…it terrified me."

Kiba broke down again, and so he missed the smirk on Sasuke's face. Sasuke reached out a hand, slowly because of his still-weak body, and lay it on Kiba's. The other boy looked up, eyes wild and wet, face streaked with tears.

"I'm not ready, Kiba. I'm going back to sleep. Please…stay with me."

There was no time for an answer, because as soon as he had murmured his request, Sasuke had already drifted off to sleep.

o o o o o o

There was the smell of coffee in the air. Sasuke could hear someone moving around.

"I didn't think they allowed coffee in the hospital."

"You're awake!" Sasuke opened his eyes and was pleased to see the voice belonged to Kiba.

"Hey."

"Yeah, theydon't allow coffee in the hospital. We are at your house. I convinced the Hokage to let me bring you here so you weren't taking up hospital space sleeping. Once she admitted you were stable, we moved you back to your apartment. We've been here for a week."

"…We've' been here?"

Kiba blushed heavily.

"I-I have been here with you, taking care of you." Eager to change the subject, Kiba continued. "Would you like some coffee? I am afraid I make mine pretty strong, and you are out of sugar and milk, so you'll have to drink it black."

"Sounds good."

While Kiba walked away to the kitchen, Sasuke found he had enough strength to move himself into a sitting position. He was in his bed. When he glanced around the room, he saw a mat on the floor with some crumpled clothing and a blanket beside it. Kiba walked back into the room carrying two mugs.

"You've been sleeping on my floor? Why not at your place? Or, if you had to be here, on the couch or something?"

"I was afraid you would wake up alone. You have been…having nightmares, Sasuke, and you werescreaming. I couldn't wake you up, but…you sounded like you were in so much pain thatI didn't want you to wake up alone and scared."

Though he couldn't remember having nightmares, Sasuke believed Kiba. Taking a coffee mug in his hand, Sasuke cradled the warmth and closed his eyes. Instantly he saw Itachi, he saw all the Itachi copiescutting apart his friends. He felt the pain of being cut all over his body, it felt so real, they all looked so real, and he might have believed it had he not felt a strong hand close over his, holding his mug.

"Sasuke, look at me."

But when he did open his eyes to lookat Kiba, all he could see was flowing blood and Kiba's face contorted in pain. Sasuke began to shake until he spilled all of the coffee on him, burning his skin. The sharp pain was enough to bring him out of his trance.

"Shit! Oh fuck, I spilled your coffee Kiba, I'm sorry." Sasuke's face winced a little in pain.

"Sorry? Baka. I don't care about that—are you hurt? Did it burn you?"

"A little."

Kiba stood and placed his own mug on a dresser. Sasuke started to get up but stopped when he felt his body's weakness.. Kiba rushed back to him and began to pick him up.

"Kiba, what in the hell do you think you are doing?"

Winking, Kiba said, "Returning a favor."

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In the bathroom, Kiba sat Sasuke on the toilet, making sure the boy was secure. He then went to the bathtub and began to run a bath.

"Kiba, I don't know what you are doing, but if it is what I think it is, that really isn't necessary."

"You can't stay in bed with coffee all over you and you are too weak to help yourself, so shut up---I don't mind doing this. I'll be right back, I am just going to throw those sheets in the wash." Kiba got up and walked quickly out of the bathroom.

Blushing, Sasuke watched his bathtub fill with water. Because of his clan's ranking and history, when his parents had been killed he had been left with the mansion. Unable to live there, seeing his memories come to life each day as he walked through empty halls, he had finally decided to sell all the furniture and lock up the home. He kept the shell, never going in, never going back into the rooms, but he didn't feel right selling his parents home. The furniture, however, had all been antiques and had brought in a lot of money. Sasuke had used that money to buy a very nice apartment. This bathroom was a sign of how nice the place was.

The bathtub was marble, deep and wide, with enough room for two people. The floor was tiled, as were the walls. The sink and mirror were large and faced the tub, so that anyone in the bath could see themselves in it.

Sasuke wasn't comfortable with this. He knew why Kiba was helping him: he knew he had already done this for Kiba. But Kiba had been unconscious. And Kiba didn't know about… the arousal Sasuke had felt. The Uchiha was worried that this time, he might not be able to control himself and Kiba would see, well, everything.

But there was no time to do anything as Kiba came walking back into the bathroom. He stopped the water from running and double-checked the temperature of the bath.

"Everything is ready. I am going to help you undress now." He leaned in and began to unbutton Sasuke's pajama top.

"K-kiba, you really don't have to be doing this." As Sasuke spoke, he began to re-button the ones Kiba had just unfastened. Kiba hit his hands away gently.

"Sasuke. I know this is uncomfortable for you. And this may weird you out, but it may help—I have already seen you naked."

Sasuke's face went white.

"Wh-what? When?"

"You have been unconscious for over a month, you don't think you went that whole time without a bath! And don't worry, now that I have bathed you, I know now it is no big deal, so I know you weren't being a pervert when you helped me!" Kiba smiled, and then continued to unbutton the shirt, finishing and sliding it off Sasuke's shoulders.

Sasuke gave up and began to focus on the tiles while Kiba removed the rest of his clothing. If he could just look at the tiles and not pay attention, he would be at no risk of any…embarrassing moments.

But then Kiba took off his own shirt and shoes, and rolled up his pant legs.

"Why the hell are you taking your clothes off?" The panic in Sasuke's voice made Kiba laugh, a deep hearty chuckle from his belly.

"Sasuke, you need to fucking relax—this is really no big deal. I don't understand what you are so paranoid about. I'm not going to do anything but bathe you. I've just been doing this long enough to know your tub is so big, if I don't take off my shirt and stick my feet in again, I end up as soaked as you! Now, stop arguing and being a sissy and just let me help you."

"But---"

"No buts. Shut up, Uchiha, if you keep talking, you will be the one to make this awkward."

The argument was over and there was nothing for Sasuke to do except watch. Kiba's upper body was much stronger than the Sharingan user had expected. The boy's arms were long and strong, strips of muscle bulging and weaving as he moved, like a dance. His chiseled torso made Sasuke a little jealous—even after hours of training and crunches, his had never looked as cut as Kiba's. The dog boy's skin was smooth and tan. Sasuke had seen Kiba naked before, but he hadn't noticed until now what a spectacular body the other boy had.

Moving over to Sasuke, Kiba scooped the naked man into his arms, He went over to the bathtub and, stepping one foot in for balance, slowly lowered the body into the warm water.

Sighing, Sasuke had to admit that Kiba got the temperature just right. It was cool enough that his coffee burn didn't sting, but warm enough to soothe his muscles and calm him down.

"Thanks Kiba, for helping me. I'll call you when I am ready to get out."

"Whatever, you can't even undress yourself. I'm helping with the whole bath."

With that, Kiba crawled behind Sasuke, sitting his butt on the edge of the tub. His legs straddled Sasuke, the calves hugging his arms, and he could help but to notice how strong and tan the legs were.

"Close your eyes, I am pouring water on to your hair."

It was the most relaxing thing Sasuke had ever felt. Kiba scooped water into a cup and then poured it over Sasuke's head. He could feel the water running through his hair, warm rivulets flowing down his ears and shoulders.

Sasuke heard Kiba put shampoo in his hands. And then…oh god. Kiba's hands rubbed the shampoo into his hair, creating a think lather. Deft fingers massaged Sasuke's scalp, and Kiba's claws would gentlyscratch, raising goosebumps on the Uchiha's skin.

"Kiba…this is…wonderful."

"Don't be getting all weird on me, Uchiha." The jibe was meant as a joke, but Sasuke heard some strain in Kiba's voice. What did that even mean? Was Kiba upset with him for saying something?

The massaging shampoo was so relaxing and calming that Sasuke was actually upset when Kiba said softly, "close your eyes."

Again he felt the streams of water running through his hair, washing away the suds. When it had all been rinsed out, Kiba muttered, "Lean forward." Feeling Kiba's hands gently pushing on his back, Sasuke shifted up and leaned forward, resting his forehead on his knees.

He felt strong hands begin to knead his shoulders.

"I don't remember massaging being a helpful part of bathing, Inuzuka," he sighed.

"It usually isn't. You've been through a lot, though, and since this is your first day awake, you need a little extra attention. And for having been comatose for weeks, your shoulders are very tense."

Sasuke didn't want to say that he was tense because he enjoyed the Inuzuka's touch so much. It occurred to Sasuke that after his parents died, he had never experienced what id was like to be touched like this. All his physical contact had come from Naruto sparring, or from fighting, or from Orochimaru, who had only wanted to use him. Kiba's touch was different. The boy seemed to know exactly how to move his hands, how to stroke and knead Sasuke's shoulders. It felt so good that Sasuke almost forgot the weirdness of the situation.

"…Sasuke…may I speak frankly with you?"

"What about?" The fingers were rubbing into his sore muscles around his neck and shoulders and it felt so, so delicious, but Sasuke was worried. Was Kiba going to say something about the massage? Was Sasuke acting wrong, would Kiba think he was perverted for enjoying it so much?

"Kakashi explained to me what Itachi does with his Sharingan—the Mangekyou. He explained the other world, and the images and sensation he can inflict on his victims." Kiba felt Sasuke become tense under his hands, but he kept rubbing slowly. "He told me about how it can break someone, even ruin them. That is why I was so terrified for you. I just want you to know that I think eventually you will need to talk about it. And when you do, I want to be there for you."

Upon the mention of Itachi's name, however, Sasuke's mind had put up a barrier. All he could see was him plunging his kunai into his brother's heart. He saw the puff of smoke that signaled his failure, yet again, to kill his brother.

"I'm clean now, Kiba. Please help me out."

"You aren't clean yet. Don't change the subject, Sasuke."

"Kiba, take me out of this tub now, I don't want to talk about anything, I want to be alone." Sasuke straightened his back so that Kiba's fingers could no longer rub his skin.

"Sasu…please. Don't do this. Not yet."

"I'm not doing anything. And neither are you, apparently, because I am still in this tub after I asked you to help me out."

Kiba heaved out a sigh and leaned back, resting against the wall. He shut his eyes. Kakashi-sensei had warned him. He had said that if Kiba spoke too soon, Sasuke would shut him out. He knew he had spoken too soon, but the moment had seemed so right, and now that it was going poorly Kiba felt… disappointed and hurt. It took him a minute to realize he was hurt because Sasuke had shot him down as an available ear so quickly. Hearing the coldness in Sasuke's voice was like a kunai to Kiba's heart: he had thought they were getting somewhere, that he and Sasuke were friends, that he could help Sasuke, but apparently the other boy didn't return his feelings.

There was a large amount of splashing and slapping as Sasuke tried hard to get out of the tub on his own. Water surged over Kiba's pants and chest.

"Goddamnit, Sasuke, stop! You are going to hurt yourself!"

"I wouldn't be doing this if you would do as I ask!"

Sasuke continued to struggle, his weak body unable to lift itself up, and when Kiba finally reached down to help, Sasuke began to fight off the helping hands.

"No—I'll do it myself, you obviously don't want to help me."

"I do want to help you—damnit, Sasuke, stop hitting away my hands!—I do want to help—if—you'll—just… ARGHH!" Kiba grabbed both of the Uchiha's wrists and held them with one hand to stop the punching. He reached his other arm under Sasuke's shoulders and awkwardly began to lift the boy from the tub. Finally, they were standing, Sasuke's feet still in the water, chests pressed together, faces close. Both were breathing hard from the effort and the frustration each felt.

"Sasuke, I am going to let go of your wrists now. I will pick you up and carry you to the bed. If you hit me, however, I will leave you here, in the water, to become a prune or drown or who the fuck knows. Don't hit me anymore. Ok?"

Though he wanted to keep fighting, to punch and kick his anger out, Sasuke knew his body wouldn't even let him fight, and he didn't want to be left in the tub.

"Ok."

Slowly, Kiba's fingers released Sasuke's hands. He moved his hand along Sasuke's shoulder, just above it, not quite touching the skin. Sasuke closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Even with his anger, we wasn't used to such a, such a sensual touch and if he wasn't careful, Kiba's tricky fingers would woo him back. He wanted to stay focused, because he was still upset with the Inuzuka's prying.

Kiba ran his fingers lightly up Sasuke's neck, then along his cheek bone, and finally, he pushed some of the hair that had fallen forward out of Sasuke's eyes. He could feel Sasuke's deep breathing in his chest, which was pressed tight against the other boy's.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke. I shouldn't have said anything. You don't have to talk to me or anyone if you don't want to." Kiba didn't know what was going on, why he was holding Sasuke this close. He knew he wasn't ready to move yet. He wanted to stay here, just a little while longer, their bodies close, and feel the Uchiha breathe.

"Please, Kiba… just take me to bed. I want to be alone."